Willie Zapalac

Willie Frank Zapalac (December 11, 1920 – May 18, 2010) was an American football coach. He was the eighth head football coach at Arlington State College—now known as the University of Texas at Arlington—serving for one season, in 1952, and compiling a record of 8–1–1.

Willie Zapalac

Biographical details
Born	(1920-12-11)December 11, 1920 Sealy, Texas
Died	May 18, 2010(2010-05-18) (aged 89) Austin, Texas
Playing career
1939–1941	Texas A&M
Position(s)	Fullback
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1949–1950	Tarleton State
1952	Arlington State
1961–1962	Texas Tech (OL)
1963	Oklahoma State (OL)
1964–1975	Texas (OL)[1]
1976–1977	St. Louis Cardinals (DL)
1978–1980	Buffalo Bills (DL)
1981–1985	New Orleans Saints (DL)
Head coaching record
Overall	8–1–1 (college) 11–9 (junior college)

Zapalac later coached at Texas A&M (where he attended school),[2] Texas Tech,[3] Oklahoma State, and the University of Texas and in the NFL at the St. Louis Cardinals, Buffalo Bills, and New Orleans Saints.[4]

While at the University of Texas, he coached under Darrell Royal for 12 years. During that time, Texas won seven Southwest Conference (SWC) championships and two national championships. He was known for producing many offensive lines in the 'Wishbone' attack. For a period of five years at least one offensive lineman was named to All American teams and numerous players named to All-SWC teams.[5] Zapalac had two sons, Bill and Jeff, that played football at the University of Texas.

Zapalac played professionally for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1947.[6] His son Bill (Willie Zapalac, Jr.) played professionally three seasons in the NFL for the New York Jets.[7]